The Mercury 9.9 ProKicker is the auxiliary and trolling outboard that the bass-boat and sailboat-aux markets treat as a default. A 209cc inline-twin four-stroke producing 9.9 hp at 5500 rpm, dry weight 84 pounds for the long-shaft tiller version, and a high-thrust gearcase with a 13-pitch prop optimized for slow-troll applications rather than top end. The ProKicker variant is the upgrade over the standard 9.9: it adds the larger gearcase, the high-thrust prop, an electric-start option, power tilt, and a long shaft for sailboat or pontoon applications. The Yamaha T9.9 is the rival and runs neck-and-neck on spec; Mercury's edge is dealer-network density at the small-outboard tier and parts availability through Mercury Marine's continental US distribution. For a sailboat aux or a primary trolling motor on a 17-foot bass boat, the ProKicker is the working answer.
For the full scoreboard, what works versus what does not, year-and-trim guidance, and pricing as of April 2026, see our roundup Best Outboard Motors in 2026.
What works
- High-thrust gearcase optimized for slow-troll, segment reference at this hp
- 84 dry pounds for long-shaft tiller version, manageable for one-person handling
- Power tilt and electric-start options on ProKicker variant
- Long-shaft and extra-long-shaft options for sailboat aux applications
- Dealer-network density at the small-outboard tier matches Yamaha
What does not
- ProKicker premium adds $400–600 over the base 9.9, kicker-specific spec or skip
- No native Mercury display option at this hp tier
- Slow-troll on heavy hulls (28-plus feet) is at the edge of the 9.9's authority
Pricing, April 2026
- New: $3,800–4,400 new (2026 MSRP)
- Used: $1,800–2,900 (2019–2024 powerheads)
Long-form review
The full Mercury 9.9 ProKicker long-form review republishes in July 2026 with on-the-water testing notes, a 6-dimension scorecard, fuel-burn or charge-time numbers, and the trim and year we would buy. Until then, the roundup link above is the decision-grade read.